this week we were in the book of Luke chapter 14.
I know technically the events of chapter 14 and the story that Jesus told is not a parable but,...... it had to do with eating a big meal, and had a good point.
In the opening lines of Luke chapter 14 we see that Jesus was invited to dinner. This dinner included a guest list of rich people, political leaders, religious leaders, and intellectual relatives of the host.
The host was the leader of the synagogue, who was also wealthy , politically influential, and religiously exulted by many.
Given the culture of the day I sincerely doubt that Jesus was invited haphazardly. There is a good chance that Jesus had been in the synagogue at lease for the last week and possibly even longer. Jesus had developed a relationship with the political leaders and the synagogue leaders, and although he was not in trouble they definitely wanted to keep an eye on him.
It says in the early verses that they were watching Jesus closely because of a lame/sick man that was also at the party. The poor and needy and sick people would often be allowed to wait around the outside of the courtyard for the important people to finish dinner, and then the leftovers would be brought to those poor needy people. During the meal there would be multiple topics covered and the host would have the final say in the answering of a question, or rendering an opinion. This was done out of courtesy to the host and in recognition of his position within the political realm, and religious realm.
Jesus asked the question "is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath" we see in the verses that ultimately they had no answer for his question. That doesn't mean they didn't discuss it for quite some time around the table, it just means that the host ultimately decided not to answer the question probably because of fear.
Jesus then leaned over and healed a man who was sitting near him.
Then Jesus challenged everyone at the table with this observation, that they would work on the Sabbath if it meant being helpful to someone or something that they cared about. This also in essence rendered the host and his guests speechless.
Jesus then went to the observations that he had made prior to dinner. He had observed people entering the house and jockeying for the most prominent position around the table. Some were moved to lower positions by the host, some were moved to higher positions by the host ,and I imagine Jesus ended up with the lowest spot at the table.
Jesus exposed the selfish nature of those who tried to exalt themselves, he exposed the false humility of those who sat in lower positions so that they would be exalted by the host, and he exposed the heart of God who exults those who are truly humble.
Jesus then spoke directly to the host and exposed his motive for having the dinner. The host wanted to be exalted and repaid by all those who were in attendance. Jesus took a host to task for not inviting all of the poor and needy who were waiting for leftovers to the banquet table. He pointed out that the host needed to provide dinner for people who could not pay him back or exalt him by repaying him with a more lavish dinner.
From there someone made the comment that it would be good enough for them just to have a small piece of the kingdom of God.
Jesus then went on to give the story of the man who planned a banquet, sent out invitations, and then was rejected by everyone who was invited when the banquet was ready. This rejection led the rich man to invite anyone who was available in the city to the dinner, and when that wasn't enough people he went out into the countryside and drag every person he can find into the banquet hall. This filled is banquet hall with guests who appreciated the meal, and left out everyone who was originally intended for.
I know the story can't have theological implications, but I wanted to stay with a more practical thread.
I believe Jesus has a banquet prepared for all of us. This banquet indicates the fullness of the Kingdom of God in our lives. I believe many people in some form of religious arrogance, selfish pride, or doctrinal tradition have turned their back on Jesus and said in essence all I want is a crust of bread and some water. We wrap this arrogance in some sort of concept that we don't want to bother God to give us everything ,we don't need everything, just give us a little piece of heaven.
I think Jesus is quite amazed at our choice not to eat the banquet that he has prepared. He wants to give us more and were asking for less, and we think were doing him a favor by not eating everything he has prepared.
I think we need to enter the banquet that God is prepared for us regarding every aspect of our Christian walk. We need the full banquet when it comes to worship, prayer, teaching, reading God's Word, hearing his voice, reaching out to others, and a host of other things. Why do we limit God by demanding he only give us a piece of the Kingdom, instead of the whole banquet.
I don't think God is going to run out of food at the banquet hall. I think a lot of us need to turn around, step up to the buffet table, and start filling our plate with a banquet of food that will change our lives, and the lives of the communities around us.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
elevate update November 14
A simple and profound parable in prayer.
Luke chapter 18. Jesus is telling a story, and he lets the disciples no point of the story before he even begins.
Which is more than I can say for a lot of people that I talk to, but that's another story.... and I'm not sure what the point would be anyways.
Jesus spoke of a judge, in a certain city, who had great contempt for everyone.
We need to take a moment to understand how the disciples would have immediately understood what he was talking about.
The city could've been one of hundreds that they would've been familiar with.These cities built around agriculture with a main street crowded on either side with the marketplace.everyone in the city would have been familiar with each other in a good chance in some way related to one another. (Not with inbreeding, but just the culture of the day).
The judge would have been selected so that commerce and family business could be officially taken care of in town. He was probably someone everyone knew including the other main character in the story.The widow.
The widow had probably lived in the city since marriage at a young age. Her husband was probably a life long city member. This is something we infer because usually in that culture the men would stay in their family units, and the wife would be chosen from a neighboring city or family unit.
She had been wronged, and is my guess it has something to do with inheritance, land, or some form of provision that her husband had left behind so she could survive. There's a good chance that whoever wronged her did so by being aware of her weakness because he knew her, or was related to her in some way.
Justice was all she had left, and the only person who can give it to her was the judge.
This judge had one major personal characteristic, he had contempt for everyone. It's a nice way of saying that he was a prideful arrogant prick. His arrogance and pride probably became a part of his life when he was chosen to be judge. I sincerely doubt that he would then given that position by his friends and relatives had he been someone who showed that sort of arrogant contempt for everyone prior to the position.
This judge ignored, laughed at, belittled, and disrespected the widow. The widow continued to make her request known. This request would have had to been done in person at the city gate. I'm guessing she was down there almost daily,and if not daily then definitely regularly.
The judge lasted as long as he possibly could (which I'm guessing must of been several months) and then he gave in. He not only gave in and heard her case he gave her justice, which is exactly what she was asking for. He gave in because he said that he was going to drive him crazy if he ignored her anymore.
Jesus said at the beginning point of the story was to show the need to be consistent in prayer.
That if an unrighteous arrogant prideful judge would eventually give a ruling consistent with the Kingdom of God, how much more would a righteous just God give a ruling consistent with His kingdom.
That if an unrighteous judge could eventually be broken down, how much easier through consistent prayer would a loving judge/God also give us what we ask for.
Some other side notes that we picked up were these.
The widow was asking for something that was consistent with God's will. The Bible does make it clear that only ask anything according to Gods will he will give it to us.
The request was made personally and vocally. I believe it is important that whenever possible we pray out loud. That allows us to affect the atmosphere around us. Through consistent verbal requests the atmosphere of the city changed around the judge and even he was moved in compassion. If she had written a letter, or had only gone once or twice, I don't think she would've changed the atmosphere around the judge.
The right for God to rule is based on His righteousness and justice. Not on His power or knowledge. We here especially in the western culture often look to gain knowledge and power in order to feel justified and righteous in judging others. With God it's because He is righteous and just that His power and knowledge are used as they should be.
Praying for judgment on others is not praying the will of God. The will of God is justice, the will of God is love, the will of God is to bring His kingdom and its characteristics here on earth. We need to be careful that we don't try to control God's knowledge and power. We need to pray the will of God, and let Him answer as He wills.
It's a fun little story and we had a lot of fun kicking it around
Luke chapter 18. Jesus is telling a story, and he lets the disciples no point of the story before he even begins.
Which is more than I can say for a lot of people that I talk to, but that's another story.... and I'm not sure what the point would be anyways.
Jesus spoke of a judge, in a certain city, who had great contempt for everyone.
We need to take a moment to understand how the disciples would have immediately understood what he was talking about.
The city could've been one of hundreds that they would've been familiar with.These cities built around agriculture with a main street crowded on either side with the marketplace.everyone in the city would have been familiar with each other in a good chance in some way related to one another. (Not with inbreeding, but just the culture of the day).
The judge would have been selected so that commerce and family business could be officially taken care of in town. He was probably someone everyone knew including the other main character in the story.The widow.
The widow had probably lived in the city since marriage at a young age. Her husband was probably a life long city member. This is something we infer because usually in that culture the men would stay in their family units, and the wife would be chosen from a neighboring city or family unit.
She had been wronged, and is my guess it has something to do with inheritance, land, or some form of provision that her husband had left behind so she could survive. There's a good chance that whoever wronged her did so by being aware of her weakness because he knew her, or was related to her in some way.
Justice was all she had left, and the only person who can give it to her was the judge.
This judge had one major personal characteristic, he had contempt for everyone. It's a nice way of saying that he was a prideful arrogant prick. His arrogance and pride probably became a part of his life when he was chosen to be judge. I sincerely doubt that he would then given that position by his friends and relatives had he been someone who showed that sort of arrogant contempt for everyone prior to the position.
This judge ignored, laughed at, belittled, and disrespected the widow. The widow continued to make her request known. This request would have had to been done in person at the city gate. I'm guessing she was down there almost daily,and if not daily then definitely regularly.
The judge lasted as long as he possibly could (which I'm guessing must of been several months) and then he gave in. He not only gave in and heard her case he gave her justice, which is exactly what she was asking for. He gave in because he said that he was going to drive him crazy if he ignored her anymore.
Jesus said at the beginning point of the story was to show the need to be consistent in prayer.
That if an unrighteous arrogant prideful judge would eventually give a ruling consistent with the Kingdom of God, how much more would a righteous just God give a ruling consistent with His kingdom.
That if an unrighteous judge could eventually be broken down, how much easier through consistent prayer would a loving judge/God also give us what we ask for.
Some other side notes that we picked up were these.
The widow was asking for something that was consistent with God's will. The Bible does make it clear that only ask anything according to Gods will he will give it to us.
The request was made personally and vocally. I believe it is important that whenever possible we pray out loud. That allows us to affect the atmosphere around us. Through consistent verbal requests the atmosphere of the city changed around the judge and even he was moved in compassion. If she had written a letter, or had only gone once or twice, I don't think she would've changed the atmosphere around the judge.
The right for God to rule is based on His righteousness and justice. Not on His power or knowledge. We here especially in the western culture often look to gain knowledge and power in order to feel justified and righteous in judging others. With God it's because He is righteous and just that His power and knowledge are used as they should be.
Praying for judgment on others is not praying the will of God. The will of God is justice, the will of God is love, the will of God is to bring His kingdom and its characteristics here on earth. We need to be careful that we don't try to control God's knowledge and power. We need to pray the will of God, and let Him answer as He wills.
It's a fun little story and we had a lot of fun kicking it around
Monday, November 9, 2009
eating fruit
I was challenged by a thought the other day and so wanted to expand on it.
The thought was this, trees do not eat their own fruit, fruit is meant to be shared.
My personal challenge was this. When it comes to "the fruit of the Spirit" I think many times I want the aspects of that spiritual fruit to be true of my life. I think many times I stopped there. That the list of things that should be generated in my life because of my relationship with God, are there not for me it for others.
I was corrected a long time ago over the thought that the fruit of the Spirit are multiple fruits. The Spirit is one fruit with multiple aspects or characteristics.the characteristics of God's fruit in my life are there because of the seeds that he plants to my spirit.over time those seeds bear the fruit of the spirit which involve a variety of wonderful and positive things.
I must admit my picture of that is usually stuck on that concept that the fruit is mine. All those characteristics are things that should be in me. And when I stop there .....in reality I am saying all those characteristics are also for me.
I need to correct my vision regarding the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit that I produce as a result of my relationship with God the seed that he is planting, or planted within me. That fruit should be able to be enjoyed by anyone who comes by my tree. It should not matter who they are or they came from or what their belief system is. When they walk by my tree they should be attracted to the fruit that hangs there.When somebody picks that fruit and has the opportunity to taste that fruit they should be overwhelmed with the variety of positive aspects/characteristics that the fruit possesses.
And like any good fruit, they should want more. I know for me that is true when I run into people who bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I like being around them . I want to be around them as much as I can. They produce a fruit that I enjoy eating. That should be true of any one who tastes my fruit as well.
I think God makes it pretty clear that we are to grow and produce wonderful fruit in the same place or all along side those who are producing ugly fruit. By ugly I don't necessarily mean those who don't have a relationship with God. Because many of those who know God still produce ugly nasty tasting fruit.
But if we can, as we should produce excellent fruit filled with the characteristics that God wants, right alongside nasty fruit, then I believe not only are we producing what God wants but we are where God wants us as well.
I think that makes sense, at least it does to me,
for now.
The thought was this, trees do not eat their own fruit, fruit is meant to be shared.
My personal challenge was this. When it comes to "the fruit of the Spirit" I think many times I want the aspects of that spiritual fruit to be true of my life. I think many times I stopped there. That the list of things that should be generated in my life because of my relationship with God, are there not for me it for others.
I was corrected a long time ago over the thought that the fruit of the Spirit are multiple fruits. The Spirit is one fruit with multiple aspects or characteristics.the characteristics of God's fruit in my life are there because of the seeds that he plants to my spirit.over time those seeds bear the fruit of the spirit which involve a variety of wonderful and positive things.
I must admit my picture of that is usually stuck on that concept that the fruit is mine. All those characteristics are things that should be in me. And when I stop there .....in reality I am saying all those characteristics are also for me.
I need to correct my vision regarding the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit that I produce as a result of my relationship with God the seed that he is planting, or planted within me. That fruit should be able to be enjoyed by anyone who comes by my tree. It should not matter who they are or they came from or what their belief system is. When they walk by my tree they should be attracted to the fruit that hangs there.When somebody picks that fruit and has the opportunity to taste that fruit they should be overwhelmed with the variety of positive aspects/characteristics that the fruit possesses.
And like any good fruit, they should want more. I know for me that is true when I run into people who bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I like being around them . I want to be around them as much as I can. They produce a fruit that I enjoy eating. That should be true of any one who tastes my fruit as well.
I think God makes it pretty clear that we are to grow and produce wonderful fruit in the same place or all along side those who are producing ugly fruit. By ugly I don't necessarily mean those who don't have a relationship with God. Because many of those who know God still produce ugly nasty tasting fruit.
But if we can, as we should produce excellent fruit filled with the characteristics that God wants, right alongside nasty fruit, then I believe not only are we producing what God wants but we are where God wants us as well.
I think that makes sense, at least it does to me,
for now.
Monday, November 2, 2009
elevate update November 31
.This week at elevates we took a look at two very similar passages found in the book of Luke.
Luke chapter 8:16-18 Luke chapter 11:33-36.
Both passages start out the idea that a lamp is designed to be placed on a lampstand and not to be hidden. By being placed where it's supposed to be is a benefit to everyone that walks into the house/room. By combining both passages we understand that the house/room is our life. In chapter 11 the light that we are to shine out specifically comes from our body. The word "body" is our physical being.
The light comes from God's teaching/voice. His voice can be heard in a variety of ways. By listening to his voice pure light enters through our eyes and shines forth through our bodies. This light grows based on our willingness to listen to God's voice.The Passages make it clear that the more you stay open to Gods voice the more understanding you will receive and the more light your body will produce.
An interesting twist in both passages is this. There is an evil light that looks like the pure light but the differences are pretty clear. The evil light does not push away the shadows in the corners of your house. The evil light hides itself and is not a benefit to everyone that enters into the room. The evil light does not bring about more understanding, or clarify the voice of God.
You can tell the difference in your own life based on the results of what you see and hear. If what you see and hear of God whether through his Word, dreams, prayers that are spoken over you, or the spirits encouragement within you make your life more radiant then you are working with a pure light.
If you are reading God's Word and you are able to keep portions of your life separated from the effects of God's Word, or you are only a benefit to those that you deem worthy of your biblical knowledge, or your body does not radiate God's light then the light you're working with is evil.
An added aspect of working with the evil light is this. In the chapter 8 portion of our study we see that not only will God not give you more light/understanding, but He will actually take away the light you think you have.
In my personal life I could see how my biblical knowledge had stopped radiating God's light and had become a source of ungodly characteristics. I become prideful about my "light". I'd become argumentative, defensive, inpatient, and divisive. All of these things were tied into my knowledge of God's "light". I know that I had stopped seeing new things and gaining new understandings from God's Word.I convinced myself that by creatively and enthusiastically regurgitating the same knowledge over and over again I was filled with God's light. I was not encouraging people to grow in knowledge of God's Word, I was encouraging people to become more committed to building walls in defense of our traditions. Those walls became the bushels in which our light was hidden, those walls became the barrier to keep more understanding and light coming in. I stopped hearing God's voice and had become useless in a dark room.
In the last four years I have gained an understanding. Life and light have been added to my knowledge of God's Word. And in the last year and a half God's voice has become clear both within my spirit, and in my dreams.
I love the promise in these passages that if we walk in God's light more understanding/more light will be given.
Luke chapter 8:16-18 Luke chapter 11:33-36.
Both passages start out the idea that a lamp is designed to be placed on a lampstand and not to be hidden. By being placed where it's supposed to be is a benefit to everyone that walks into the house/room. By combining both passages we understand that the house/room is our life. In chapter 11 the light that we are to shine out specifically comes from our body. The word "body" is our physical being.
The light comes from God's teaching/voice. His voice can be heard in a variety of ways. By listening to his voice pure light enters through our eyes and shines forth through our bodies. This light grows based on our willingness to listen to God's voice.The Passages make it clear that the more you stay open to Gods voice the more understanding you will receive and the more light your body will produce.
An interesting twist in both passages is this. There is an evil light that looks like the pure light but the differences are pretty clear. The evil light does not push away the shadows in the corners of your house. The evil light hides itself and is not a benefit to everyone that enters into the room. The evil light does not bring about more understanding, or clarify the voice of God.
You can tell the difference in your own life based on the results of what you see and hear. If what you see and hear of God whether through his Word, dreams, prayers that are spoken over you, or the spirits encouragement within you make your life more radiant then you are working with a pure light.
If you are reading God's Word and you are able to keep portions of your life separated from the effects of God's Word, or you are only a benefit to those that you deem worthy of your biblical knowledge, or your body does not radiate God's light then the light you're working with is evil.
An added aspect of working with the evil light is this. In the chapter 8 portion of our study we see that not only will God not give you more light/understanding, but He will actually take away the light you think you have.
In my personal life I could see how my biblical knowledge had stopped radiating God's light and had become a source of ungodly characteristics. I become prideful about my "light". I'd become argumentative, defensive, inpatient, and divisive. All of these things were tied into my knowledge of God's "light". I know that I had stopped seeing new things and gaining new understandings from God's Word.I convinced myself that by creatively and enthusiastically regurgitating the same knowledge over and over again I was filled with God's light. I was not encouraging people to grow in knowledge of God's Word, I was encouraging people to become more committed to building walls in defense of our traditions. Those walls became the bushels in which our light was hidden, those walls became the barrier to keep more understanding and light coming in. I stopped hearing God's voice and had become useless in a dark room.
In the last four years I have gained an understanding. Life and light have been added to my knowledge of God's Word. And in the last year and a half God's voice has become clear both within my spirit, and in my dreams.
I love the promise in these passages that if we walk in God's light more understanding/more light will be given.
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